220 
ZOOLOGY. 
people think they must keep entirely in the trees. In October, 1853, I saw, however, a flock, 
running through the snow, near the Spokane plains, and one of them was shot; but I have never 
seen them since then in the winter.—C. 
This bird, called generally in Oregon the blue grouse, also known as pine grouse, dusky 
grouse, &c., I met, for the first time, when our exploring party reached the main chain of the 
Rocky mountains, where we found it exceedingly abundant, but not more so than in the Blue 
mountains of Oregon, Cascade mountains, and in all the timbered country between the last* 
mentioned range and the Pacific coast. In the autumn, about November 15, they generally 
disappear, and it is rare, indeed, to see a single individual of the species during the interval 
between that period and about March 20 of the following year. Concerning the whereabouts 
of this bird during the winter there are many opinions among the settlers. Some maintain that 
the species is migratory, and that they retire to the south, while others say that they repair to 
the tops of the highest evergreen trees, where, in the thickest foliage of the branches, they 
pass the cold season in a state of semi-torpor, rarely or never descending until warm weather 
comes on. As they subsist well on the leaves of the coniferae, and can always obtain sufficient 
water from the snow and rain drops on the leaves to supply their necessities, I have but little 
doubt that this latter is the correct account, or that, if migratory, they are but partially so. 
I saw one bird of this species on the ground, during a fall of snow, in January, 1854, near the 
Nisqually river, Washington Territory; and I have been told that a man, near Olympia, Wash¬ 
ington Territory, whose eye-siglit is excellent, is able any day during winter to obtain several 
birds by searching carefully for them in the tree tops of the tallest and most thickly-leaved firs. 
This requires eye-sight of much greater power than most men possess. Even in the summer, 
when these birds are generally lower in the trees, it is very difficult to find them among the 
dense branches. They have, in addition to their sombre hues, the advantage of their habit, of 
crowding very closely to the limbs, and of sitting almost immovably for hours. 
The first indication, in the spring, of their arrival? or activity? is the courting call of the 
male. This call is a prolonged noise, sounding much like the whirr of a rattan cane whirled 
suddenly through the air. It is repeated quickly several times, and then stops for a brief interval. 
This noise is said to be produced by inflating and contracting a couple of sacks on each side of 
the throat, which are for the most part concealed when collapsed, and are covered by an orange- 
yellow, thick, corrugated, unfeathered skin. These birds, at Fort Steilacoom, are very abundant 
throughout the spring and early summer. They are there mostly confined to the forests of fir 
trees, (Abies Douglassii.) Late in the season, after hatching, they may be found generally at 
mid-day on the ground, in search of berries, seeds, &c. When alarmed they almost invariably 
seek safety among the dense foliage of the trees, instinctively appearing to understand the 
advantages of thus hiding. In the autumn they are more generally found on the ground, feeding 
on sallal and other berries. One dajq in October, 1856, I saw on the Nisqually plains, amongst 
fern and grass, five of these birds, full grown, and in excellent order.. A man killed the whole 
five, one by one, with a double-barrelled gun, without an attempt being made by a single 
individual to fly. This grouse is a very fine table bird; the little dash of pine taste its flesh 
possesses only adding to its game flavor. I have known males, in June, weighing three and a 
half pounds, although they rarely exceed two and three-fourths pounds. 
